Official Thread ▀▄▀ REMO ▀▄▀ Siva Karthikeyan - Keerthi Suresh - Anirudh - PC Sreeram !!!

Pathanamthitta Dhanya

 

Sivakarthikeyan interview: 'Remo' hero opens up on cross dressing, stalking and more

Tamil actor Sivakarthikeyan is on a high. His much talked about film “Remo” is all set to release on October 7. The posters with Sivakarthikeyan dressed as a woman have generated a lot of curiosity and interest.
Sivakarthikeyan is one of Kollywood’s fastest rising stars. How did he manage to make the switch from being an anchor on Star Vijay TV to a popular hero?
Speaking to The News Minute, Sivakarthikeyan says, "I would attribute my success mainly to my connect with the people. From my TV days, they have been receptive to my work and when I got into films, that response continued. I also make sure I deliver what they expect from me, which is clean entertainment.”
Sivakarthikeyan is conscious of his audience and believes in giving them what they want. He adds, “My directors pack my films with the necessary elements. For example, director Ponram knew that kids have taken a big liking towards me and he made me dance with a group of children in the title song of “Rajini Murugan”."
On “Remo”
“Remo”, directed by Bakkiyaraj, will see him in a dual role. How comfortable was he with the idea of cross-dressing?
Sivakarthikeyan says, "After director Bakkiyaraj's narration, I didn't open up to anyone for a few days as I couldn't visualize myself as a lady. I thought people would discourage me from taking this up. I finally shared this idea with my friends, including Sathish and Arunraja Kamaraja, and narrated the script to them for about 45 mins. They responded positively and laughed at the very same moments which appealed to me as well.”
Sivakarthikeyan then discussed the idea with his family and other than his mother, who was a little shocked, the rest were encouraging. He listened to the script once again and gave it the nod.
Speaking of his experience on the sets of “Remo”, the young actor says, “Cross-dressing is the biggest challenge in cinema and I've given it my all for “Remo”. I don't see myself taking up such an experiment again."
Sivakarthikeyan recalls the many makeup techniques that were used when filming “Remo”: “I couldn't afford to look hefty in the nurse look and had to become really lean. I stopped gymming for about 7 months and lost up to 9 kilos. I had to look cute in this look and match Keerthy's age, too.”
Initially, Sivakarthikeyan says, they tried out prosthetic makeup but that made him look too old. He laughingly adds that he had to go through the pain of waxing and threading as well.
On the female character he’s playing
Tamil cinema hasn’t been particularly sensitive when it has portrayed cross-dressing characters. Will “Remo” be any different? Sivakarthikeyan asserts that the focus was to show the nurse (the female character that he’s playing) in a “pleasing manner”.
He says, “We haven't portrayed her in any derogatory way. Also, for these portions, I dubbed for just five minutes of footage each day. I took about 4 to 5 hours each day in the morning to complete this. I used to shuttle from my house in ECR to Prasad Labs daily. It was tough, as my voice needed ample rest while dubbing for the lady portions."
On Keerthy Suresh
Keerthy Suresh, who paired up with him in “Rajini Murugan”, is the heroine in “Remo” too.
Sivakarthikeyan speaks of his co-star: "We initially approached many heroines but for some reason or the other, they backed out. But cameraman PC Sreeram sir was clear from the beginning that Keerthy was the apt choice for this film.”
Sivakarthikeyan wasn’t very keen on repeating the heroine but believes that Keerthy was perfect for “Remo”. “We needed an innocent face as she has to be oblivious to the hero wooing her, dressed as a nurse. Keerthy fitted the bill very well,” he says.
On the social responsibility of cinema
What does he feel about his films coming under criticism for glorifying and validating stalking, this method of “wooing”?
Sivakarthikeyan doesn’t think this is a problem. He says, "Stalking has been a constant phenomenon in Tamil cinema since long. In all my films, I pursue the girl that I like, fall for her and ultimately marry her unfailingly. There is nothing wrong with that and I am not putting forth any wrong messages or ideas. I don't see it as stalking.”
Stating that this kind of love, where a man is relentless in his approach towards a girl to make her reciprocate, can be considered “pure” because he doesn’t have “any other intentions”, Sivakarthikeyan dismisses the criticism as “negatives can be found in every film and it's all about perspective."
Director Pa.Ranjith recently spoke of the social responsibility that film-makers should have when making a film. Is this something Sivakarthikeyan agrees with?
The actor responds: "It's his personal stance. He is someone who makes socially-inclined films and it's easy for him to have such an outlook. But, all films needn't be the same way and audiences want all kinds of films. There needs to be a mix of the socially responsible flicks and the commercial fare. The way I see it, I would be happy if my commercial films deliver some good social messages here and there."
On his inspirations
Sivakarthikeyan, who is a big Rajini fan, says that the latter’s films groomed his interest in cinema. After “Rajini Murugan”, the Superstar even called him and spoke for a brief while.
“I was so nervous and literally shaking while speaking to him,” Sivakarthikeyan recalls.
But it isn’t only the big stars who inspire him, anyone who crosses hurdles every day to get to the top makes an impression on him, Sivakarthikeyan says, perhaps remembering his own journey to the top.

 

Would love to do children's film: Sivakarthikeyan

Actor Sivakarthikeyan, whose films have appealed to all sections of the audience, including children, says he would like to be part of a full-length children's film alongside child actors.
"A lot of writers and directors have realised that my films appeal to children as well. Hence, when they write a story, they ensure they bring in some children connect. Even in my forthcoming release 'Remo', there's an important role for a kid," Sivakarthikeyan told IANS.


"I really want to work in a children's film. I would love to act alongside children in a full-length role," he said.
In "Remo", to release on October 7, Sivakarthikeyan will be seen in the guise of a nurse. The film has been directed by debutant Bakkiyaraj Kannan.

 

Sivakarthikeyan speaks about 'Remo' and more!


Ten minutes into the conversation and you know that Sivakarthikeyan clearly knows what he is doing— He has the exact distributor share of his previous blockbuster, Rajini Murugan on the tip of his finger and also knows the pre-release business of Remo. “As an actor, We should know our market value and the business of our films. Whenever someone posts the box office collection of my movies, I cross check it with my sources. I think it will be helpful to plan my future projects”, says Sivakarthikeyan, who is eagerly waiting for the grand release of his big budget rom-com ‘Remo’ on October 7.

Though Siva had initial apprehensions in sporting the lady get-up, he carefully analyzed all the hurdles he would face in pulling off the role with sheer perfection. “I know the make-up process will be long, it may lead to side effects. More over, I shouldn’t lose my patience at any point of time as it would reflect in my performance”, says Sivakarthikeyan, who lost several kilos to bring the authenticity to the nurse get-up. “Initially, I thought of producing Remo on my own but when asked RD Raja anna whether he would be interested in production, he readily agreed”, says Siva, who always wanted to see RD Raja as a producer. “During Marina release, asked RD Raja about the response and he gave honest opinion on the box office performance, he did not exaggerate it to please me. Also, many people are not aware that it was Raja anna, who was behind Rajini Murugan and Varudhapadatha Valibar Sangam marketing. He works 24*7 to find right solution to any problem. There was a time, when we couldn't resume the shoot of Rajini Murugan and Raja anna solved it”, Sivakarthikeyan praises RD Raja, proud producer of Remo. Not just Raja, Sivakarthikeyan wants everyone associated with him to reach heights. “During Rajini Murugan, I used to say Keerthy that she will one day pair with Vijay sir and now, it’s happening”, the actor reveals about his Nostradamus moment. The actor is also joining hands with his Rajini Murugan director for the third time, “I wanted 24 AM Studios to produce a film with Ponram sir because he should get the deserved remuneration. Ponram should be paid well for two reasons—one, he always gives blockbuster and secondly, he completes the film within the quoted budget”. Keerthy’s inclusion in Remo itself is an interesting story with twists and turns. “Except for the first fifteen minutes, the heroine character in Remo will be present throughout but many leading actresses turned down the film citing strange reasons”, explains Siva. “Once our cinematographer PC Sreeram sir saw Keerthy in a family event and he murmured in my ears ‘Yaaru antha ponnu…un relative ah’ (mimicking PC Sreeram’s voice). When I told him that she was my heroine in Rajini Murugan, he said Keerthy is the right choice for Remo but I purposely denied pairing with her again to avoid featuring in gossip columns”, he adds. “PC Sreeram also told Bakkiyaraj ‘Enga vena ponga..Kadisi intha ponnu dhaan’(again mimicking his voice) and it has finally happened. Now, I can confidently say that no one other than Keerthy could've justified the Kavya character in Remo”, smiles the actor.

Sivakarthikeyan also showers praise on PC Sreeram, “PC Sir is our biggest strength. The moment he signed the dotted line, our project got bigger. PC sir like challenges and to show me beautiful in the nurse look along with Keerthy is the toughest job for him”, says the actor on a lighter vein. “As I sport nurse get-up in the film, PC Sreeram sir should match my skin tone with Keerthy and it was a challenging process”, adds Siva, who did not use prosthetic make up for the film and he calls it as the magic of Nikki, who is in charge for his makeup in the film. One major strength of Sivakarthikeyan is that he picked right projects. Will you be doing an offbeat film? “No brother, I can’t. The problem here is, we don’t do business based on the genre of films. Remo’s business is based on Rajini Murugan and my next film’s business will be based on Remo”, says Siva who was initially approached by director Raju Murugan for Cuckoo. “Nadiga theriyama Nadichutu iruken..Kannu theriyama veraya”, the actor jovially explains why he turned down the film. “But seriously, Dinesh was apt for the film and I wouldn't have performed like him. Even Cuckoo’s director Raju Murugan politely understood the reason behind my ‘NO’” he says. Right from his television days, earning more money is not the ultimate motive for Siva. “The TV presenter job gave me a financially stable status and I was in no hurry to sign more films. Initially, I was only seen as a character in films like Marina, Manam Kothi Paravai and ‘3’. Ethir Neechal was the first film written for me and even after that, I only selected projects and characters that suit me”, the actor is very clear in shaping up his career. For Sivakarthikeyan, acting in Shankar and AR Murugadoss films is a dream. “During my childhood, I used to enjoy watching Shankar sir’s. After watching Indian and Ramanna, my dad, who was a police officer told me that he would be as honest as the protagonists in those films so there is a personal connect as well”. So who is Sivakarthikeyan’s close friend in the industry. “I always discuss my films with Sathish, Arunraja Kamaraj but apart from them, I don’t really have big friends circle”, he says. “Among industry celebrities, AL Vijay and Hari always call me after watching my films. I always wanted to know what Rajini sir thinks about my performance and to my surprise, he called me after watching Rajini Murugan. I spoke to Rajini sir in this same room and can’t help, my hands were shivering”. Today, there is an allegation on Sivakarthikeyan that he is signing films only for RD Raja’s 24AM Studios and not for the other production houses. “That’s because I’ve signed three continuous films with them. Today, many passionate producers are working hard for the betterment of their projects and would soon definitely team up with them”, says the actor. To conclude, why audience should watch Remo? “I think the film got everything to satisfy audiences from six to sixties. There are sequences for youngsters who are in love, there is a kid character for children and ample sentiment scenes for family audiences. We hope Remo will entertain everyone”, the actor signs off.

 

Kerala Solo Aayirunnel Kidukachi Opening Edithenne,Tn Enthayalum Polakkum